About Me

“Don’t do the click-click-cloud approach – neither in cloud governance ⚖, nor for cloud infrastructure resources 🛠. Instead, manage and provision ALL cloud resources through code 👩‍💻!”
#IaC #Terraform #HCL #ModulesME
“Try to avoid VMs 🖥 in the cloud, and let’s focus on cloud-native services ⚙!”
#CloudNative #Serverless ME
“Let’s do epic shit!”
#Enthusiast #EdgeOfTechnology Xpirit Germany GmbH
“Before start implementing productive services in the cloud, please think about the needed governance on your tenant first.”
#Compliance #Security #Rules #AuditME
Start right into cloud from the beginning!
The approach “fake it, till you make it” does not bring the organization any further.
#Planning #BusinessOutcomes #GoalsME
No more “ClickOps“! 🖱️
Cloud Automation is key. 🗝️
#CloudAutomation #IaCME

Who is Mr. Azure? 🤷‍♂️

My name is Stefan Rapp, and I have the honor of being awarded as a Microsoft MVP 🏆 in the technology area of Azure Infrastructure as Code 🧑‍💻. In my professional role, I work as a Cloud Solution Architect (CSA) at Xpirit Germany GmbH, a proud member of the Xebia family. My home is the quaint and charming town of Sersheim 🌆, nestled in the picturesque southwest of Germany.

My career as an IT consultant started in the year 2008, after my very technical studies of ‘Business Administration & Engineering’ and ‘Master of Information Systems’ at the University of Pforzheim (Germany) and Salt Lake City (USA).

All along I followed my talent, passion and what I can do best – The design and implementation of Microsoft Technologies for mid-size and enterprise organizations; starting with .NET development and pushing even more forward into IT infrastructure to get a broad view of both worlds with a complete skill set. With the upcoming cloud technology, I shifted more and more to the direction of the Azure Platform ☁, as I realized what game changer and enabler Azure will be in the market, regarding the business cloud transformation. 💪 In Azure my main focus areas are governance designs, core/basic infrastructure, cloud-native architectures, application modernization as well as ‘Infrastructure as Code’ (IaC) with HashiCorp Terraform.

For a complete cloud consulting approach, I like to bring and keep customers on the right track 🛤, guide them successfully along their ‘Cloud Journey’ ✈ with Microsoft Azure and help them to get out the most of their Azure workloads. There is nothing better than a happy customer 🏆, who reached the predefined goals 🎯 and gained additional business value/outcome from the implemented cloud (hopefully ‘native’) services ⚙.

Unfortunately, during the last few years, I had to do Azure Reviews 📐 in enterprise organizations more often and realized that IT responsibles mostly dealing with the same challenges and issues regarding cloud technology, even across different industrial sectors. That gave me the inspiration to start this blog with all its recommendations, best practices, methodologies and problem solving approaches regarding common Azure architectures. Beside my blog, I love to speak on IT conferences 📢 as well as to share my experiences and practical know-how with the cloud community 🦾. Thus, as a real Azure enthusiast I hope to contribute valued information to the Azure community and all customers.

In my leisure time, I also like to be close to cumulus clouds 🌤 as a paragliding pilot 🪂. Doing XC flights in the flatlands, black forest or the alps.

Microsoft Cloud Certifications ☁️

Microsoft MVP for “Azure Infrastructure as Code“

This is Microsoft’s way of saying thank you to exceptional, independent community leaders who share their passion, technical expertise, and real-world knowledge of Microsoft products with others (MVP Program). It is part of Microsoft’s commitment to supporting and enriching technical communities.

(Started in May 2024)
MVP

Azure Solutions Architect Expert

It measures the ability to accomplish the following technical tasks: design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions; design data storage solutions; design business continuity solutions; and design infrastructure solutions.
AZ-300
AZ-301

Azure Network Engineer Associate

It measures the ability to accomplish the following technical tasks: design, implement, and manage hybrid networking; design and implement core networking infrastructure; design and implement routing; secure and monitor networks; and design and implement private access to Azure Services.
AZ-700

Azure Security Engineer Associate

It measures the ability to accomplish the following technical tasks: manage identity and access; implement platform protection; manage security operations; and secure data and applications.
AZ-500

Azure Fundamentals

This exam measures your ability to describe the following: cloud concepts; Azure architecture and services; and Azure management and governance.
AZ-900

Azure Solutions Architect (MCSD)

Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
70-532
70-533
70-534

Office 365 (MCSA)

Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements
Enabling Office 365 Services
70-346
70-347

Microsoft On-Premises Certifications 👑

70-414 – Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
70-413 – Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
70-412 – Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
70-411 – Administering Windows Server 2012
70-410 – Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
70-433 – TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development
70-450 – PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
70-432 – Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
70-158 – Microsoft Forefront Identity & Access Management, Configuring
70-452 – PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
70-448 – Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
70-640 – Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
70-431 – TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

Other Qualifications 🏅

Agile Scrum Foundation

Agile Scrum Foundation is designed to have a professional’s fundamental understanding of agile principles and scrum methodology. It is especially useful for those leading or participating in projects. This certification is especially interesting for professionals who work in areas including project management, software development, IT service management and business management.
EXIN

Project Management Professional (PMP) – 2012 until 2024

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) is an acclaimed industry-recognized certification for project managers as well as an internationally recognized professional designation.
PMI

ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

ITIL Foundation is designed to give professionals a basic understanding of the ITIL framework. It focuses on awareness and comprehension rather than being able to apply ITIL principles. The basics of IT Service Management as a practice are covered as is the ITIL lifecycle.
EXIN

Educational Background 👨‍🎓

2003 – 2008
Dipl. Business Admin. & Engineering

Pforzheim University

The Business Administration & Engineering study program / General Management at Pforzheim University (Germany) meets the demands with its focus on combined, management-oriented studies. The aim is to give students a consolidated understanding for technical and business correlations within an interdisciplinary study program as well as to enhance their problem solving competencies through research methodology.

2015
Master Information Systems Program

The University of Utah

Designed to provide advanced education necessary to manage the technology of business. The David Eccles School of Business Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program offers business education with a practical slant. Incredibly relevant coursework and extensive opportunities for hands-on experience prepare our graduates for high-paying leadership positions in one of the fastest growing job sectors in the world. Companies in the private and public sectors need information systems (IS) executives, analysts and specialists with business and technology knowledge to align information technology with business strategies.

2013 – 2016
Master of Information Systems (MIS)

Pforzheim University

The M.Sc. Information Systems (MIS) deals with the innovative design of digital transformation through IT services, strategy and organization. The focus is on solutions for future-oriented business models and cloud-based end-to-end business processes. The bilingual, internationally accredited course enables students to deepen the connections between business informatics, applied computer science and business administration.

Off-Topic ⛰ 🪂 🥾

What I love beside IT? My second passions beside IT are outdoor activities. Paragliding in the flatlands, alps or black forest are the best places for me to do XC flights. If it is not flyable because of weather conditions, I enjoy hiking with my wife as well.

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